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April 2010
INTeGrATING ClImATe ChANGe CoNsIderATIoNs IN The CoUNTry ANAlysIs ANd The UNdAF
A Guidance Note for United Nations Country Teams
April 2010
executive summary
This Guidance Note is a part of efforts to ensure an effective response by the United Nations (UN) system to assist Member States to prepare and implement coherent and balanced development policies to effectively confront climate change as part of economic growth and poverty eradication. If the causes and consequences of climate change are to be addressed effectively and efficiently, UN agencies must collaborate and utilize their comparative advantages. Isolated responses by individual agencies may lead to duplication and, worse, to ineffective outcomes. The cross-cutting nature of climate change calls for collaborative efforts by UN Country Teams and Non-Resident Agencies to provide collective responses in support of national priorities. The coming years provide a critical opportunity to enhance delivery and put in place the arrangements that deliver on national priorities. This Note provides guidance about how best to incorporate actions that address the risks and opportunities related to climate change in the Country Analysis (such as the Common Country Assessment, or CCA) and the UN Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF). It includes a Quick Guide to Mainstreaming Climate Change in the Country Analysis (such as the CCA) and UNDAF. The Quick Guide is organized around the main steps for UN common country programming, and outlines the entry points, and related actions and tools. These are elaborated in the main body of the Note. In addition to this Guidance Note, two other environment-related guidance have been issued by the UNDG, namely Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in Country Analysis and the UNDAF (2009) and Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into the CCA and UNDAF (2009). This set of guidance represents different substantive elements of an overall mainstreaming process. The commonalities demonstrate there are many possibilities for obtaining synergies if the three sets of guidance are applied in an integrated manner, thereby increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication.
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UNDG (2009): Climate Change Actions Undertaken by United Nations Country Teams. United Nations Development Group (UNDG) Study, Working Group on Programming Issues, Task Team on Environmental Sustainability and Climate Change, 46pp
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sensitivities call for action to enhance climate resilience and/or reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Such actions that address climate change fall into two broad categories, though there is often value in undertaking mitigation and adaptation together. Adaptation encompasses actions aimed at reducing the adverse consequences of changes in the climate. It increases climate resilience, defined as the ability of a social or ecological system to accommodate climate-related stresses and changes, including retaining the same basic structure and ways of functioning as well as the capacity for self-organization. Climate resilience can be described for a nation, sector, community and the like. Unless carefully planned, there is a risk that development efforts will actually decrease climate resilience. This includes activities that promote human settlement or infrastructure development in areas that may become unsuitable because of climate change. Such activities are referred to as maladaptation, defined as businessas-usual development which, by overlooking potential climate change impacts, inadvertently increases exposure and/or vulnerability to climate
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change. Actions that are intended to reduce climate change impacts, but actually increase vulnerability, also represent maladaptation. The second category is mitigation. It includes all actions aimed at slowing the rate of climate change by reducing the emissions of GHGs such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). Since tropical deforestation equates to around 20% of global carbon emissions there is increasing effort to reduce emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD). Development that results in lower emissions of GHGs compared to the baseline, business-as-usual development path is often referred to as low-emissions development. Strengthened regulatory frameworks can help capitalize on low- or no-cost mitigation opportunities. However, it is difficult to develop low emissions energy interventions without feed-in or cost-effective tariffs. Thus fiscal reforms are often required in order to exploit these opportunities at a more systemic level. The money that flows to countries and other entities hosting GHG emission reduction activities under the Clean Development Mechanism, Joint Implementation and similar transactions is widely known as carbon finance. It is essentially a payment to a project entity (any legal entity, public or private, NGO, etc.) for the emission reductions generated by that project. Governments and companies in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Annex I
countries purchase project-based greenhouse gas emission reductions in developing countries or in other Annex I countries, mostly to meet their obligations under the Kyoto Protocol or to trade them on the market for a potential profit. Payments are made once the project is operational, and typically on a yearly basis, as in a commercial transaction. The selling of emission reductions or carbon financehas been shown to increase the financial viability of projects, by adding an additional revenue stream in hard currency, which reduces the risks of commercial lending or grant finance. Carbon finance can also help overcome barriers for project development and implementation by, for example, improving access to financial resources, enabling transfer of technologies and know-how. Climate change-related interventions that generate net social and/or economic benefits irrespective of whether or not human-induced climate change occurs are often termed no regrets initiatives, meaning they will deliver wider development benefits (often referred to as co-benefits), even if the climate does not change as anticipated. Co-benefits can include improved health, energy security and technology advances. Today, adaptation, disaster risk reduction and mitigation measures are often seen as costs to development. Whether they are costs or not, the real challenge is to turn them into drivers of change and economic growth. This would, in turn, accelerate the transition to a green economy.
A Quick Guide to mainstreaming Climate Change Considerations in Country Analysis (such as CCA) and UNdAF
This Quick Guide uses the main steps for UN country programming to describe entry points, and the related actions and tools, for mainstreaming climate change in Country Analysis (such as CCA) and the UNDAF. These are described in more detail in Section 3 of this Guidance Note. It is important to note that, while the main steps are sequential, the entry points related to a given step can be acted on in any order that fits UNCT circumstances and national priorities. Mainstreaming climate change is a dynamic process, undertaken with country partners, to: Mainstreaming actions must be tailored to specific country needs and capacities. For this reason, this Guidance Note, including the following Quick Guide, should be used flexibly. For obvious reasons the Quick Guide does not provide specific details of the type of climate change related work and outputs the UNCT is expected to provide. More specific indications, including the types of analyses and other work where the expertise of the UNCT may have to be complemented from other sources, are provided in Section 3 and in Annexes A through K.
Understand both the beneficial and detrimental linkages between climate change and development; Use this knowledge to strengthen the national development framework and UNDAF priorities; Address climate change related risks and opportunities as early as possible in UN-supported programmes and projects; and Track progress towards achievement of UNDAF outcomes, including their contribution to climate resilience and low-carbon development at national level.
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sTep 1: plAN oF eNGAGemeNT (Work plAN) entry points 1.1 review of existing country analytic work 1.2 engage with relevant stakeholders in mapping the national planning process Action: Identify where the need and opportunities to enhance climate resilience and reduce GHG emissions have been highlighted Tool: Questions to help focus review of existing work (see Annex A) Action: Work with relevant stakeholders to identify opportunities for strengthening national and sectoral planning processes to ensure all development initiatives have low sensitivity to climate change and facilitate low-carbon development Tool: Screening checklist to help identify climate change response opportunities (see Annex B) 1.3 Identification of UNCT comparative advantages and gaps Action: Assess the capacity of UNCT in terms of climate risk assessment, adaptation and mitigation Tool: Checklist for assessing relevant capacity of UNCT (see Annex C)
sTep 2: sUpporT CoUNTry ANAlysIs (sUCh As CCA) Only one of the first three entry points identified here will apply, depending on the quality of the existing country analyses entry points Either 2.1 Contribute to government-led analysis Action: Support relevant government work related to characterizing climate-related risks, inventorying GHG emissions and assessing mitigation options, vulnerabilities and adaptation options Tool: Checklist for assessing where climate-related assistance is required (see Annex D) Or 2.2 support targeted climate-related studies Action: Support studies which can help clarify how national planning may take into account the need to increase climate resilience and move to a low-carbon economy and society Tool: Checklist to identify the studies required (see Annex D) Or 2.3 Assess climate-related risks and opportunities in a Country Analysis (such as CCA) And 2.4 participation in the prioritization exercise for the UNdAF Action: Assess and address the sensitivity of national and sectoral development and other socio-economic plans to climate change Tool: Checklist for identification of climate-related risks and opportunities in a Country Analysis (such as CCA) (see Annex D) Action: Assist government efforts related to taking into account both climate-related risks and opportunities when preparing, reviewing and updating national development priorities Tool: Checklist to reflect climate change when setting national development priorities takes climate change into account (see Annex D)
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sTep 3: UNdAF FormUlATIoN ANd proGrAmme ANd projeCT prepArATIoN entry points 3.1 selecting 3-5 national priorities on which to focus 3.2 UNdAF outcomes provide collective support system for national development 3.3 Climate screening of agency programmes and projects 3.4 Comprehensive environmental assessments (if required) Action: Work to ensure that the national development priorities on which the UNCT will focus take into account climate-related risks and opportunities Tool: Focus questions for setting priorities of the UNDAF (see Annex E) Action: Ensure UNDAF outcomes enhance climate resilience and movement to a low-carbon economy and society. Tool: Focus questions to guide the climate screening of the draft UNDAF results matrix and work plan (see Annex F) Action: Undertake climate screening of all agency programmes and projects, with emphasis on those under formulation Tool: Focus questions for climate screening of agency programmes and projects (see Annex G) Action: Ensure climate-related risks and opportunities are considered as part of any required SEA and EIA procedures for agency programmes and projects Tool: Focus questions designed to ensure that the causes and consequences of climate change are considered in the assessments (see Annex H) 3.5 Climate change-related considerations in the Annual Work plan or other annual plan instruments Action: Ensure actions to enhance climate resilience and progress to a low-carbon sustainable economy are included and costed in annual work and other plans Tool: Focus questions designed to help ensure responses to climate change, and their costs and benefits, are included in the operational plans (see Annex I)
sTep 4: UNdAF moNITorING ANd evAlUATIoN entry points 4.1 results contributing to national priorities Action: Ensure monitoring and evaluating outcomes includes indicators related to climate resilience and the carbon intensity of development Tool: Focus questions designed to ensure that climate change considerations in monitoring and evaluation (see Annex J) 4.2 Feed back into country analysis and planning Action: Monitor activities, outputs and outcomes to provide learning on climate-related risks and opportunities Tool: Focus questions to ensure monitoring and evaluation provide opportunities to learn from climate-related activities (see Annex K)
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Table of Contents
executive summary ................................................................................................................................................ii Introduction to the Guidance Note .......................................................................................................................iii structure of the Guidance Note ............................................................................................................................iv A Quick Guide to mainstreaming Climate Change Considerations in Country Analysis (such as CCA) and UNdAF .....................................................................................................vi Table of Contents ...................................................................................................................................................ix list of Abbreviations ...............................................................................................................................................1 1. The Guidance Note ...........................................................................................................................................2 1.1 purpose ........................................................................................................................................................2 1.2 structure, scope and goal ..........................................................................................................................2 1.3 Target Audience ..........................................................................................................................................2 2. mainstreaming Climate Change overview of Why and how .....................................................................4 2.1 key opportunities and Approaches for UNCTs .......................................................................................9 2.2 Coordinating with development Assistance partners ..........................................................................10 3. entry points, Actions and Tools ....................................................................................................................11 4. moving Forward: learning and Improving for results ...............................................................................24 Annexes..................................................................................................................................................................25 A. entry point 1.1: Climate Change perspective in the review of existing Country Analytic Work..............................................................................................................................26 B. entry point 1.2: engage with relevant stakeholders in mapping the National planning process .......................................................................................................................28 C. entry point 1.3: Climate Change perspective on Identification of UNCT Comparative Advantages and Gaps ........................................................................................................31 d. entry points 2.1 to 2.4: Climate Change perspective on supporting Country Analysis and prioritization ........................................................................................................33 e. entry point 3.1: Climate Change perspective on setting priorities of the UNdAF .............................39 F. entry point 3.2: Climate Change perspective on Aligning UNdAF outcomes and support for National development .................................................................................................41 G. entry point 3.3: Climate screening of Agency programmes and projects..........................................43 h. entry point 3.4: environmental Assessments ........................................................................................45
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I.
entry point 3.5: Including Climate Change related Considerations in the Annual Work plan or in other Annual planning Instruments ................................................................47
j. entry point 4.1: Assess extent to which UNdAF results Contribute to National priorities ..............51 k. entry point 4.2: Feed Back into Country Analysis and planning .........................................................54 l. Guidance for Thematic mainstreaming in Country Analysis and the UNdAF .....................................55 m. Information on International Funding sources for mitigation and Adaptation ...................................58 N. potential Indicators for monitoring and evaluating Inclusion of Climate Change Considerations in the Country Analysis and the UNdAF......................................................................60
list of Abbreviations2
CCA Ch4 Co2 eIA GhG IpCC m&e mdG NApA NC redd seA UN UNCT UNdAF UNdG UNFCCC UNrC Common Country Assessment3 Methane Carbon dioxide Environmental Impact Assessment Greenhouse gas Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Monitoring and Evaluation Millennium Development Goal National Adaptation Programme of Action National Communication Reduce Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation Strategic Environmental Assessment United Nations United Nations Country Team United Nations Development Assistance Framework United Nations Development Group United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change United Nations Resident Coordinator
Note that CCA is used here as the abbreviation for Common Country Assessment, one of the three options of Country Analysis. In some other contexts CCA is used as the abbreviation for climate change adaptation. To avoid confusion, the latter term is never abbreviated in this Guidance Note. According to the UNDG How to prepare an UNDAF Part I: Guidelines for UNCTs, each UNCT can choose any of the three following Country Analysis: (i) UNCT participation in government-led analytical work and use of government analysis, including sectoral reviews and analyses; (ii) Complementary UN-supported analytical work, with a focus on gaps in the existing analysis; and (iii) A full Common Country Assessment (CCA).
The purpose of this Guidance Note is to assist UNCTs in undertaking actions to help ensure that climate change4 does not impede economic growth, human development or poverty reduction. It is organized around a common, but flexible, methodology based on evolving international good practice. The guidance provides:
A targeted understanding of climate change and its relevance to the achievement of national development priorities; Appropriate ways to consider and address the causes and consequences of climate change during UN country programming, with a focus on practical entry points and related actions that can help UNCTs engage more effectively with country and other partners; and A practical set of performance expectations related to including climate change considerations in the UNDAF, along with tools for assuring quality and undertaking monitoring and evaluation (M&E) for UNCTs and country partners.
1.2
The guidance is structured according to the steps for UNDAF preparation and implementation. However, it should not be used rigidly. Some of the suggested entry points, actions and tools may be used in parallel, or at different stages of the UNDAF cycle, depending on the needs and capacities of the UNCT and country partners.
1.3
Target Audience
UN Resident Coordinators (UNRCs) and staff in the RC coordination offices; UNCTs and all programme staff; and Regional UNDG Teams and UN staff in Peer Support Groups providing quality support and assurance.
Climate change refers not only to changes in long-term average atmospheric and ocean conditions, but also to changes in both climate variability and extreme events.
Box 1 Guidance on mainstreaming environment-development Considerations in Country Analysis and the UNdAF In addition to the present Guidance Note, two other sets of environment-related guidance have been issued by the UNDG, namely:
Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in Country Analysis and the UNDAF (2009); and Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into the CCA AND UNDAF (2009).
This set of guidance represents different substantive elements of the overall mainstreaming process. Annex B highlights the many similarities and the few differences in the target groups, goals, key steps, and principal outputs and outcomes of these three elements of mainstreaming. As a result of these commonalities there are many possibilities for obtaining synergies if the three sets of guidance are applied in an integrated manner, thereby increasing efficiency and avoiding duplication. An example is risk analysisa single risk analysis can be carried out for environmental and non-environmental climate change hazards.
IPCC, 2007: Climate Change 2007: The physical science basis. Contribution of working group I to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, New York; IPCC, 2007b: Climate Change 2007: Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability. Contribution of Working Groups II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, New York; IPCC, 2007c: Climate Change 2007: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fourth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Cambridge University Press, New York. McMullen, C.P. and Jabbour, J., 2009: Climate Change Science Compendium 2009. United Nations Environment Programme, Nairobi, EarthPrint, 76pp. Stern, N. 2007. The Economics of Climate Change: The Stern Review. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. More details on this aspect of ecosystems management can be found in Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in Country Analysis and the UNDAF: A Guidance Note for United Nations Country Teams and Implementing Partners, UN Development Group, 26pp.
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shaped to deliver similar objectives, for example, employment policies aiming to create new green jobs or reinforce entrepreneurs in environmentally-friendly sectors. As a result of the implementation of such policies, mitigation and low-carbon development measures will be achieved. For relevant industries and sectors that are often driving environmental degradation, such as forestry and agriculture, it is important to understand the real-life opportunity costs and the incentives and investments needed to improve performance and create sustainable livelihoods, income and employment for the communities which depend on them. Carbon finance is becoming an increasingly important way to support such investments. Annex M provides an overview of international funding sources for mitigation and adaptation, including those related to carbon finance.
It is highly desirable that actions to address climate change deliver benefits even if the climate does not change as anticipated. For example, Thailands CCA notes that the Thai Government is committed to combating climate change, and as a result is focusing more on renewable energy to save foreign exchange and promote environmental sustainability. This is a no regrets approach. Figure 1 provides illustrative examples of interventions across the continuum of climate change response initiatives. All categories other than Confronting Climate Change can include no regrets initiatives.
Box 2 examples of Influence of Climate Change Droughts, wind storms, floods and coastal inundation destroy livelihoods and reduce food production, as does coral bleaching; extreme high temperatures hasten spoiling of stored food; poverty and malnutrition are exacerbated by increased failures of subsistence crops and in food prices; reduction in the livelihood assets and income of poor people. Adverse weather conditions and increased incidence of diseases reduce school attendance of children, especially girls; education infrastructure at increased risk from damage due to extreme weather conditions. examples of Adaptation and mitigation Improved food and nutrition security, water security, health status, livelihood security, income diversification, resilience and preparedness to cope with risks from uncertain and extreme events strengthens adaptive capacity; use of renewable energy sources to reduce GHG emissions can help alleviate poverty through improved access to employment and affordable energy; new income-generating opportunities for forest dwellers. Improved skills increases ability to sustainably manage ecosystems, change vocations or move locations, thereby reducing vulnerability; increased awareness of climatehealth linkages reduces incidence of water and vector borne diseases; strengthening education infrastructure can be used as opportunity to increase energy efficiency, use of renewable energy and ensure continuing adequate supplies of drinking water. Enhance capacity of women to deal with added economic and social risks from climate change; make increased use of the knowledge, skills and influence of women in efforts to cope with climate change and reduce the emissions that cause it; reducing the time spent by women on energy provision and providing access to drinking water; creating additional employment and income-generating activities for women. Improved access to health services enhances the resilience of children; strengthen quarantine regulations and border surveillance; reducing energy consumption in the health sector results in increased funding available for disease prevention measures. Improved access to health services will enhance the resilience of mothers and infants to the health effects of climate change; improved food and water security and access to health services improves adaptive capacity; fuel switching at household level decreases the incidence of respiratory illnesses among women and children.
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Women represent a large percentage of the poor, experience gender inequity and are faced with increasing vulnerabilities as the climate changes; because of their economic and social roles (e.g. reduced livelihood assets, increased workload, health issues, reduced time to participate in decision-making) and heavy reliance on natural resource-based incomegenerating activities, levels of mortality for women and girls are often higher in natural disasters and physical, emotional and sexual violence rises in the wake of these events. Infant mortality rates affected largely through impact of climate change on infectious diseases; other key influences are food shortages and extreme and damaging weather events; access to potable water is often reduced. Pregnant and lactating women, along with the very young and very old, are most vulnerable to health threats such as infectious diseases and non-infectious health effects, including heat waves; levels of physical, emotional and sexual violence often rise in the aftermath of disaster; health care and proper hygiene often inadequate in shelters.
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mdG Many prevalent human diseases are linked to climate fluctuations, including cardiovascular mortality and respiratory illnesses due to heat waves, altered transmission of infectious diseases (e.g. malaria), health issues related to water access and sanitation, and malnutrition from crop failures; climate change leads to displacement, making social, environmental and health conditions unbearable, increasing risk of HIV infection, and disrupting treatment and care services; populations most vulnerable to HIV infections, especially marginalized groups, are more adversely affected in emergency situations; rapid-onset disasters place people, especially women and girls, at risk of HIV infections; in the immediate aftermath of climateinduced emergencies access to prevention services is disrupted and comprehensive AIDS treatment, care and support services are not readily available and accessible. See http://www.unaids.org/en/Conferences/2009/20091207_ COP15.asp and UNAIDS brochure Climate change will degrade the quality and productivity of ecosystems and living natural resources; resilience of many ecosystems likely to be exceeded by a combination of climate change, associated disturbances such as flooding, drought, wildfire, insects, ocean acidification, and other pressures such as land-use change, pollution and overexploitation of resources. Ecosystem services such as water, food and firewood will be severely impacted in many developing countries (refer to Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in Country Analysis and the UNDAF). Climate change is a global and cross-cutting issue; GHGs emitted at any one place will affect the climate everywhere, and for centuries to come; climate change impacts, especially those related to extreme events, will often exceed the coping capacity of the affected country; thus international cooperation is required to address the causes of climate change, as well as to ensure comprehensive and effective responses to its consequences. Enhanced capacity to prevent and deal with epidemics increases resilience to climate change; examples of interventions include improving public health infrastructure, developing more-tolerant crop strains, increasing freshwater storage capacity and provision of safe sanitation service, creating early-warning systems, and bolstering disease surveillance; improved integration of AIDS, treatment and care programmes as part of national disaster preparedness strategies; strengthened health systems to integrate service provision in emergency situations; enhanced integration of food security, health security and resilience to cope with risks from uncertain and extreme events improves adaptive capacity; use of renewable energy sources to reduce GHG emissions can help alleviate poverty through improved access to employment and affordable energy.
Healthy ecosystems and sustainably managed natural resources are important for adaptation to the effects of climate change and for establishing synergies between adaptation and mitigation in areas such as water resources management, forestry and land management; sound environmental practices and resource efficiency can help build the path to a low-emissions future; avoid maladaptation such as reafforestation with high waterconsuming eucalyptus trees and initiatives that undermine progress towards gender equity; use fiscal instruments and standards to provide incentives for resource efficiency. Partnerships need to be built with actors internationally and nationally, including the private sector and civil society, to ensure awareness-raising, knowledge-sharing, capacity building, technology transfer and financing for adaptation and mitigation. Access to international climate change funds and carbon financing mechanisms (e.g. Clean Development Mechanism and REDD) can help developing countries to enhance climate resilience and achieve low emissions development (see Annex C and the section on costs and financing in Annex B).
FIGUre 1. Conceptual framework for responses to climate change, from development-focussed (left) to climate change-focused (right), with illustrative examples for adaptation, mitigation and the two combined. Adapted from mcGray et al. (2007) and oeCd (2009). Addressing drivers of vulnerability Building Capacity For Action Anticipating Impacts Confronting and opportunities Climate Change
Increasing likelihood of benefits in absence of climate change development Poverty alleviation Context and other activities to reduce vulnerability - climate change not considered when assessing vulnerability Interventions laying the foundation for more targeted, on-the-ground initiatives - climate data helps identify the most vulnerability groups/sectors Climate change related interventions that may also result in significant development benefits - high reliance on climate information Interventions assume the certainty of climate change, with serious adverse consequences for human well-being and for natural ecosystems
Adaptation example
Pro-poor payments for Installing cyclone watershed services early-warning system and shelters Carbon funds used to Warning systems and establish and maintain shelters powered by a protected area solar energy Community agro-forestry project on erosion-prone hill slope Shelters also used as climate change awareness raising centres
Landuse plan included Malaria prevention campaigns to be coastal setbacks at risk and land for new crop varieties Planning for increased use of co-generation and public transit systems Plans include low-emissions and climate resilient development using REDD Projects prioritised on basis of need to eradicate mosquito breeding sites Constructing new energy efficient hospital in anticipation of increased needs
mitigation example
example of synergy
2.1
The UNDAF preparation cycle can be used to identify opportunities for joint UNCT programmes and projects addressing climate change. It will also highlight the knowledge and skills relating to climate change already held by individual members of the UNCT, including the NRAs, and combine and strengthen this expertise in a coordinated manner. In many instances considerable climate-related work will have already been undertaken by UN agencies. However, it may not be recognized as such because the main focus was on other aspects, such as poverty alleviation, water, welfare and education of children, social protection, employment creation, reforestation or risk assessments for improved disaster preparedness and response. The scale and complexity of climate change requires collective and coordinated efforts between all actors, including National Governments, UN agencies and other partners. This will help avoid initiatives that are single agency driven, disparate and ad-hoc. These place an additional burden on countries, often leading to duplication as well as a lack of alignment between related policies and plans. A coordinated approach can also contribute to building a strong institutional framework at national level, with the participation of many stakeholders, including the Government, the private sector, civil society, and the UNCT along with other development assistance partners. Mainstreaming climate change in the context of the UNDAF process can take place at two levels: (i) as a cross-cutting theme, with a climate change perspective incorporated in all relevant UNDAF elements and thematic groups such as gender, HIV/AIDS and the MDGs; and (ii) as a climate-focused thematic pillar with specific activities and outputs contributing to a separate UNDAF outcome. The latter helps to ensure that the issue is not overlooked, that key climatefocussed activities are carried out (e.g. vulnerability assessments, economic studies of climate change, support to mainstreaming in the national development
planning) and that adequate human and financial resources are allocated to climate-related activities and processes. Regardless of the approach taken, mainstreaming climate change requires an understanding of development-climate linkages, as well as acting on the risks and opportunities that climate change presents for the achievement of national and sector development priorities, including the MDGs. The benefits of a coordinated and collaborative approach become readily apparent in responses to weather- and climate-related emergencies. Climate change is now magnifying the disaster risks threatening many developing nations, setting back hard fought development gains, increasing vulnerability of populations to future shocks and diverting government resources from country development programmes to responding to emergencies. In addition to generating new threats, such as to the human rights of affected populations, the increasing scale and frequency of humanitarian emergencies are stretching national and international humanitarian capacities. In the case of some small island states, increasing risk levels are undermining their continued social and economic viability as nations. Addressing the underlying drivers of disaster risk, while at the same time improving preparedness for future disasters and ensuring that planned responses are aligned with national developmental programmes and policies, offers the potential for a triple win. This involves making simultaneous advances on adaptation, disaster risk reduction, environmental sustainability and poverty reduction. Examples include reforestation, sustainable agriculture, integrated water resource management, and building back better after a disaster, as well as the establishment and strengthening of safety nets and other social protection schemes. These offer an opportunity for communities to work on disaster risk reduction and climate resilience activities while at the same time creating a mechanism that can be scaled up to assist the most vulnerable in times of
crisis, including providing human rights guarantees and specific protection in the context of extreme weather events. UNCTs should also be aware of the regional dimensions in terms of vulnerability assessment and adaptation to climate change. For instance, the analysis of vulnerability of water resources and impact assessment of climate change on Shared River Basins and relevant transboundary issues and socio-economic implications extend beyond national boundaries. A key component of the support provided by UNCTs to Member States should relate to evaluating the costs and benefits of adaptation and mitigation measures compared to inaction. Without estimates of such cost and benefits, climate change-related measures will not be reflected in national budgets, and consequently, will not be implemented.
development assistance partners. This is of particular value in the context of supporting national efforts to address climate change. Given the enormity of the challenge and the substantial resources that need to be mobilized, a collective effort by development partners is required. In addition, response initiatives cut across areas of expertise, bodies of knowledge, and the mandates and priorities of development partners. Both the Country Analysis (such as CCA) and UNDAF preparation should be used as avenues towards enhanced coordination of the work of country partners. This includes identifying and developing opportunities for joint programming and delivery. The UN is well placed to play a key role in helping governments to maximize donor coordination. Furthermore, since climate change is a relatively new issue facing governments, an important role for UNCTs is to assist governments in establishing and strengthening their internal mechanisms for coordinating with donors and other stakeholders, and ensuring they operate effectively and efficiently. Information gathered while mapping the national planning process from a climate change perspective (Entry Point 1.2; see Annex B) will help identify existing and potential platforms and forums that can also promote a coordinated approach.
2.2
The guidance on thematic mainstreaming provided in the Guidelines for UNCTs and How to prepare an UNDAF for UNCTs9 emphasizes the importance of UN agencies coordinating and collaborating with other
UNDG, How to prepare an UNDAF Part I: Guidelines for UNCTs and How to prepare an UNDAF Part II: Technical Guidance for UN Country Teams, January 2010
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National Climate Change Policy (or approximate equivalent) National Adaptation Programme of Action, NAPA (or approximate equivalent) National Capacity Self-Assessment, NCSA National Environmental Action Plans (NEAP) National Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMA)
Key messages for mainstreaming climate change in the specific UNDAF step; A brief description of the specific UNDAF step; Description of the intended outcomes of the climate change mainstreaming activities; and A description of specific entry points, actions, tools, and sources of information related to mainstreaming climate change considerations.
Key information for each of the four steps is also summarized in Figure 2, while Box 3 provides a practical example of how a UNCT team has supported national activities in relation to adaptation (enhancing climate resilience) and mitigation (reducing the carbon intensity of economic activities). UNCTs can draw on a number of resources to assist their work. The most basic are listed below.
Most recent National Communication to the UNFCCC National reports to the Governing bodies of major MEAs, particularly Biological Diversity and Desertification
To understand how climate change issues relate to/are integrated into national development priorities:
National Development Plan or Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) National Sustainable Development Strategies (NSDS) National Emergency Management and Disaster Response Preparedness Plans National Profile for Population and Reproductive Health National reports on adolescents, youth, elderly, gender equality, HIV/AIDS, human rights National reports on progress in implementing the Hyogo Framework for Action Sectoral Development Plans
MDG Reports and National Human Development Reports World Bank Country Environmental Analyses Environmental analysis and assessments from the regional commissions and regional development banks EC Country Environmental Profiles UNEP State of the Environment Reports
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FIGUre 2: overview of the steps, entry points actions and tools for mainstreaming climate change in the UNdAF steps for UN Country programming entry points Actions and Tools
1: plan of engagement Three Entry Points: (Work plan) (1.1) Reviewing existing analytic work (1.2) Mapping national planning processes (1.3) Identifying UNCT comparative advantages/Gaps 2: support Country Analysis Four Entry Points: (2.1) Contributing to government-led analysis; or (2.2) Supporting targetted climate-related studies; or (2.3) Assessing climate-related risks and opportunities in a CCA (2.4) Participation in prioritization exercise for the UNDAF 3: UNdAF Formulation Five Entry Points: on programme & (3.1) Selecting 3-5 National Priorities project preparation on which to focus (3.2) Providing Collective Support System for National Development (3.3) Climate Screening of Agencies Programme and Projects (3.4) Supporting environmental impact assessement (if required) (3.5) Including climate change risks and opportunities in Annual Work Plan (or similar) 4: UNdAF monitoring and evaluation Two Entry Points: (4.1) Results Contributing to National Priorities (4.2) Feeding back into Country Analysis and Planning
Highlight needs, opportunities, relevant national processes and UNCT capacity related to climate change Checklists and other analytical and planning tools (Annex A1. 1-3; pp xx-yy)
Support studies to help ensure national and other planning takes into account the need to increase climate resilience and move to a low-carbon economy and society Facilitate national development priorities taking into account both climate-related risks and opportunities Checklists and other analytical ad planning tools (Annex A2.1-4; pp xx-yy) Ensure UNDAF priorities and outcomes lead to enhanced climate resilience and movement to a low-carbon economy and society Undertake climate screening of all agency programmes and projects Check lists and other analytical and planning tools (Annex A3.1-3; pp xx-yy)
Monitoring and evaluation uses indicators related to climate resilience and the carbon intensity of development Checklists and other analytical planning tools (Annex A4.1-2; pp xx-yy)
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key messages
Ensure that all relevant actors are included in the mapping exercise and on any national steering committee or advisory body for UNDAF preparation;
Engage with the executive office, with legislative bodies, with the relevant ministries (e.g. finance and planning, agriculture, natural resources, fisheries, industry, trade) to raise issues and start making the case for the integration of climate change considerations into national and sectoral development planning and priorities;
Understand the critical interactions between climate change and development linkages that have already been identified in country analytic work, and their relevance to national development priorities and strategies;
Raise awareness about the associated risks and opportunities within the UNCT and identify where the UNCT may have the comparative advantage to act; and
Identify and engage with country partners that can carry-out further analysis and help make the economic and social case for mainstreaming climate change considerations into national and sectoral planning processes, particularly for poverty reduction.
Preparation of the Plan of Engagement is the first step in the UNCTs efforts to support and strengthen the country analysis and prepare the UNDAF. The Plan builds on three activities, namely:
Engage with relevant stakeholders to map the national planning process; and
Based on the findings of these activities, the UNCT will support further country analytic work, normally as part of providing assistance to prepare or strengthen a national policy or plan. This is addressed in Step 2.
A key outcome of this step is a broad understanding of the main linkages between development and climate in the context of national policy-making and planning. This will provide the basis for identifying the related actions for mitigation (i.e. low-carbon development) and adaptation to be included in the UNDAF. The mainstreaming activities will help ensure that UNCT support for further country analytic work takes into account climate change risks and opportunities related to economic and social development at national and sectoral levels, and that plans will give appropriate attention to adaptation, mitigation and their contribution to sustainable development.
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entry point 1.1: Review of existing country analytic work (see Annex A, p. 19) Tool Questions to help focus the reviews of existing information, leading rapidly to a comprehensive understanding of the ways in which climate change can impede or facilitate achievement of economic and social development at national and sectoral levels. It will also help develop an understanding of the extent to which climate change is influencing achievement of context-specific development targets. practical example UNCT members in Costa Rica used information and guidelines from the IPCC that assisted work on mitigation and adaptation strategies (and the development of related tools), and helped in the gathering of further information and data on national inventories and assessments of greenhouse emissions.
Action
Build on and add value to the screening of existing country analytic work by identifying all instances where the need and potential to enhance climate resilience and reduce GHG emissions have been recognized, including how they might impede or support achievement of national development priorities, including the MDGs.
entry point 1.2: Engage with relevant stakeholders in mapping the national planning process (see Annex B, p. 21) Tool Screening checklist to help ensure a clear and comprehensive understanding of national and sectoral policy and regulatory frameworks, the main pathways through which development programmes affect national and other capacities to adapt to climate change and to reduce its GHG emissions in a cost-effective way. practical example The Government of Zambia has established sectoral advisory groups (SAGs). Climate change issues are covered by the SAG on Tourism, Environment and Natural Resources. The SAG membership is comprised of government, private sector, development partners (including UN agencies) and NGOs. The mandate of the SAG is policy advice and reviews of sector performance.
Action
As part of mapping the national planning process, work with relevant stakeholders to identify opportunities for adding value to national development planning and budget cycle by ensuring development initiatives have low sensitivity to climate change and facilitate low-emissions development. The mapping should also identify opportunities to strengthen environment and development sectoral linkages in support of a multi-sectoral, multi-ministerial planning approach. Tool The checklist for assessing relevant capacity of UNCT is designed to help ensure that due recognition is given to the capacity of the UNCT for climate risk assessment, adaptation and mitigation in the context of sustainable development when assessing the UNCTs comparative advantages and gaps.
entry point 1.3: Identification of UNCT comparative advantages and gaps (see Annex C, p 23) practical example In Mauritius there are regular meetings, facilitated by the UNCT, and involving the Government through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development and donor agencies, with emphasis on coordination of their respective activities.
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Action
Ensure that capacity of the UNCT for climate risk assessment, adaptation and mitigation in the context of sustainable development is taken into account in the assessment of the UNCTs comparative advantages and gaps.
key messages
Mainstreaming climate change considerations in the UNCTs support for the Country Analysis (such as CCA) will help to:
Align climate change considerations within ongoing country analytic work related to various sectors and generate new information about climate change-development linkages;
Identify the most serious and plausible climate-related threats, as well as key opportunities;
Determine the capacities of the institutions involved to respond to these risks and opportunities;
Reach agreement with country partners on how best to avoid climate change impeding development, as well as on the most appropriate ways to take advantage of opportunities for low-carbon development;
Increase understanding of the ways in which climate change influences the likelihood and consequences of natural disasters and impacts on national security;
Use country-specific evidence and champions to start making the case for the recognition of climate change when setting national development priorities, including those related to poverty reduction, where relevant;
Identify urgent requirements to strengthen the capacity to act to enhance climate resilience and accelerate progress to a low-carbon economy and society, and reflect these in the UNDAF;
Ensure that the relevance of considering climate change in the context of development planning and priority setting is highlighted in background papers and during presentations, particularly the ways in which climate change can influence the sustainability of development and the relative costs and benefits of initiatives to enhance climate resilience and reduce GHG emissions;
Provide key actors in government with targeted information on the ways in which climate change influences the sustainability of development; and
Ensure that UNCT members make informed and well-considered contributions to the prioritization activities related to identifying and formulating possible activities for UNCT assistance to national Government-UNCT cooperation, and that these contributions reflect climate change related risks and opportunities.
The UNCTs support for the Country Analysis is intended to strengthen national analytical processes and products, including facilitating the process of reaching a consensus on the priority development problems and opportunities, and the requirements for capacity enhancement in order to address climate change. This lays an important foundation for the ultimate strengthening of national and sectoral development policies and plans, as well as for more informed decision-making. The UNCT and country partners may choose any of the following options:
UNCT participation in government-led and harmonized donor analytical work and use of government analysis;
Complementary UN-supported analytical work, with a focus on gaps in the existing analysis; or
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Further identification and elaboration of climate change-related risks and opportunities for economic and social development are now important elements of high-quality country analysis. The UNCTs efforts to mainstream climate change considerations in any of these options will build on the understanding gained through the screening and mapping activities conducted during preparation of the Plan of Engagement (Step 1). With the entry points, actions, and tools described below, the UNCT and country partners can:
Help ensure that national development priorities take into account the links between climate change and development in the national context;
Help ensure that the UNDAF priorities reflect the opportunities for managing the risks and exploit the opportunities that climate change brings to economic and social development;
Identify the need for the UNDAF to include activities that strengthen capacities to undertake priority actions related to climate change and development interactions, including data collection and analysis; and
Tool The tool has focus questions and statements related to the four Entry Points under this second step of the UNDAF preparation process. For Entry Point 2.1 it assists in identifying relevant climate change-related risks, the associated vulnerabilities and adaptation options, as well as GHG emissions and mitigation options to facilitate low-emissions development.
Provide evidence that highlights the role of climate change in disasters and human security, and identify opportunities to improve preparedness for and the impact of future disasters. practical example With UN support, several studies on mitigation and adaptation are being carried out in Costa Rica, as well as studies related to the transfer and development of technologies, strengthening of national capacities, communication, education and awareness, among others.
Either entry point 2.1: Contribution to government-led analysis (see Annex D, p. 25-28)
Action
Provide qualified UN programme staff or external experts to support relevant government work related to characterizing climate-related risks, inventorying GHG emissions and assessing mitigation options, vulnerabilities and adaptation options. The UNCT can also assist in synthesizing and package key findings, in order to increase the effectiveness of presentations to the economic ministries that make decisions about national priorities.
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Or entry point 2.2: Support targeted climate-related studies (see Annex D, p. 25-28) Tool The studies and assessments should be tailored to the capacities and needs of the UNCT and country partners. The focus questions and other tools in Annex A2 facilitate this approach by providing multiple pathways for assessing climate-related risks, options for low-carbon development, relevant capacities and need to capacity strengthening. This includes the economic studies of the costs and benefits of addressing climate change through adaptation and mitigation. practical example The UNCTs in Eritrea and Armenia conducted studies on climate change impact or vulnerability assessments in the water, agriculture, forestry, coastal environment and human health sectors. The UNCTs in some countries are assessing adaptation options, often in support of National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA). For example, Eritrea is developing a framework to guide the coordination and implementation of adaptation activities in the country, and identifying key adaptation projects to assist highly vulnerable groups.
Action
Identify the need for and support specific studies that will inform the UNDAF and facilitate national planning, taking into account the need to increase climate resilience and support the transition to a low-carbon economy and society. Economic studies of the costs and benefits of addressing climate change through adaptation and mitigation should be considered, and given priority where appropriate.
Or entry point 2.3: Assess climate-related risks and opportunities as part of a Common Country Assessment (CCA) (see Annex D, p. 25-28) Tool The focus questions will help ensure that climate-related risks and opportunities are considered at each relevant stage of the Country Analysis (such as CCA). This includes assessing how climate change could impede development (e.g. national, sector, cross-cutting, rights-based issues) along with options for achieving low-emissions development. practical example The CCA for Thailand highlighted that energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change are among the countrys priority environmental concerns. Responses will require capacity building in, and transfer of, technology and technical know-how in the area of industrial energy efficiency. Thailand is now taking advantage of the Clean Development Mechanism in order to access overseas funds for emission reduction projects.
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Action
Strengthen the Country Analysis (such as CCA) process and reporting by assessing the sensitivity of key national and sectoral development priorities to climate change. The targeted Country Analysis (such as CCA) studies should also identify climaterelated risks and opportunities relevant to the MDGs, the UNFCCC, the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Convention to Combat Desertification and other international agreements, as well as capacity constraints and the most appropriate ways to resolve them.
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entry point 2.4. Participation in the prioritization exercise for the UNDAF (see Annex D, p. 25-28) Tool The focus questions will help ensure that climate-related risks and opportunities influence the priority setting. Tools such as cost-benefit analysis and multi-criteria analysis can also be useful in setting priorities. practical example Responding to climate change is a national priority in the Philippines. The UNCT joint programme on climate change financed with the Spanish MDG Achievement Fund is in response to this priority.
Action
Ensure that the process to determine national development priorities takes into account both climate-related risks (e.g. adverse impacts of climate extremes and variability on food security and on social progress) and opportunities (e.g. mitigation investments to reduce dependency on fossil fuel and increase energy security). Participants in the prioritization activities should include UNCT members who can speak to the importance of mainstreaming climate change considerations in development cooperation, and who are aware of existing UN capacity, initiatives and experiences.
key messages
Opportunities to ensure that development efforts are appropriately resilient to climate change and do not increase the carbon intensity of development should be identified as early as possible, preferable as part of the country analysis;
While UNDAF outcomes may not relate specifically to enhancing resilience to climate change and reducing the carbon intensity of development, they should be designed in such a way as to deliver these co-benefits and to avoid maladaptation;
Any improvements in programme and project design that relate to enhancing climate resilience and decreasing the carbon intensity of development should be based on proven climate change-development interactions identified in the various country analytical work;
In order to enhance the sustainability of planned outcomes, climate-related risks and opportunities should be considered as part of any required SEA and EIA procedures for agency programmes and projects;
Performance targets and indicators should be capable of demonstrating the success, or otherwise, of efforts to enhance climate resilience and reduce the carbon intensity of development; and
It is important to be able to demonstrate that the costs of enhancing climate resilience and reducing the carbon intensity of development represent a sound investment in terms of the resulting benefits, such as increases in the sustainability of the proposed development efforts.
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The prioritization process (Entry Point 2.4) results in agreement on the broad outline of the UNDAF. This provides the basis for inter-agency groups to work with country partners to prepare the draft results matrix for each UNDAF outcome. An UNDAF work plan may also be prepared. These will guide the preparation of more detailed agency programmes and projects. As noted above, while there may be agreement on the need for a specific climate-related UNDAF outcome, this should not divert attention away from including climate change considerations in activities related to all other UNDAF outcomes.
Step 3 provides five entry points for mainstreaming climate change in the UNDAF. They move progressively from the overall strategic planning level (UNDAF preparation and national planning cycle) through programme preparation to project design and development of an annual work plan. At all these levels there are significant opportunities to ensure that climate change impacts on the sustainability of economic and social development initiatives are minimized, and vice versa.
During UNDAF formulation, and programme and project preparation, is it important that relevant UNCT members maintain a watching brief to ensure that climate change considerations continue to be reflected in the processes and outputs of the current step. In doing so, they will be informed by the findings of earlier work, including reviewing the country analytic work, mapping national development planning and related processes, and the more detailed follow-up studies to address knowledge gaps, and by identification of capacity constraints and how they might best be addressed.
Another outcome is the mainstreaming of climate change considerations when agencies prepare their detailed cooperation programmes and projects. This is particularly the case when earlier steps and activities have identified opportunities to enhance the impact and sustainability of development initiatives by increasing resilience to climate change and by pursuing low-emissions development options. Tool The tool provides focus questions that can be used to strengthen the process of priority setting for the work of the UNCT and NRAs by ensuring that a longer-term perspective of national development priorities and related opportunities for UN assistance is taken when deciding on the priorities of the UNCT. Relatively long time frames are required for addressing the causes and consequences of climate change. As a result, decision support tools such as SEA have high importance. practical example The UNDAF for Bhutan focuses on supporting capacity strengthening of key government agencies to implement a disaster management framework, mainstream disaster/climate risk reduction into plans and policies, and strengthen national and local capacity for disaster preparedness and response systems. Climate change is part of UNDAF Outcome Five, By 2012, national capacity for environmental sustainability and disaster management strengthened (MDG 7))
entry point 3.1: Selecting 3 to 5 national priorities on which to focus (see Annex E, p.29)
Action
Ensure that the 3-5 UNDAF priorities take into accountclimate-related risks and opportunities. Realistically, capacity constraints within the UNCT and NRAs, as well as comparative advantage considerations, make it highly unlikely that the UN will choose to engage in all the economic and social development initiatives designated as national priorities. As a result the UNCT, in conjunction with the NRAs, must establish its own priorities for supporting national and sector initiatives related to economic and social development. Thus Entry Point 3.1 provides an important opportunity for mainstreaming climate change considerations in the UNDAF.
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entry point 3.2: Ensuring UNDAF outcomes provide collective support system for national development (see Annex F, p. 30-31) Tool The focus questions can be used by all UNDAF outcome groups, with the assistance of UN staff or external experts with expertise in climate change screening and assistance programming. They will guide the climate change screening of the draft UNDAF results matrix and work plan. The tool also supports identification and elaboration of performance targets and indicators related to increasing the resilience of development efforts to climate change, and also reducing the carbon intensity of development. Tool practical example The UNCT has included two UNDAF Outcomes in Egypts UNDAF 2007-2011 that address promotion of sustainable development concepts and climate change issues. Outcome 2 is Enhanced Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change. An adaptation performance scorecard, including a climate risks screening tool and a set of adaptation indicators, are being used as part of efforts to ensure that the water, agriculture and costal zone development sectors are resilient to climate change impacts.
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Action
practical example The UNCT in Thailand carries out actions through the Thematic Working Group for Environment (TWGE). The TWGE ensures coordination among UN agencies regarding their interventions in the area of environment, as well as a harmonized engagement with development partners. The Group meets quarterly and recently included Thai counterpart agencies, multilateral agencies, and NGOs. A matrix of activities is updated periodically. The TWGE also conducts annual UNDAF reviews for this results area.
Ensure UNDAF outcomes enhance climate resilience and facilitate progress to a lowemissions economy and society. Even though UNDAF outcomes may not relate specifically to enhancing resilience to climate change and reducing the carbon intensity of development, the above action is designed to help ensure that the proposed UNDAF outcomes will include such co-benefits.
entry point 3.3: Climate screening of agency programmes and projects (see Annex G, p. 32-33)
Action
Undertake climate screening of all agency programmes and projects, with emphasis on those under formulation.
The focus questions in this tool will help determine whether anticipated changes in climate will jeopardize achievement of the outcomes of the programmes and projects. It While some of the proposed outcomes of is also desirable that achieving the outcomes planned agency programmes and projects does not increase the carbon intensity of may not relate specifically to enhancing economic and other activities. The focus resilience to climate change and reducing the questions can be used by all UNDAF carbon intensity of development, this action outcome groups, with the assistance of UN is designed to help ensure that the proposed staff or external experts with expertise in UNDAF outcomes will include these climate change screening and assistance co-benefits, where possible and appropriate. programming.
entry point 3.4: Environmental Assessments (see Annex H, p. 34-35) Tool The focus questions in this tool are designed None found to date. to help ensure that the proposed activities, performance targets and indicators are consistent with the need for the development efforts to be appropriately resilient to climate change, while also reducing GHG emissions, where possible and appropriate. It will help to determine the need and provide additional resources/guidance for conducting more detailed assessment. This tool does not replace assessment procedures required under national legislation. practical example
Action
Ensure climate-related risks, impacts and opportunities are considered as part of any required SEA and EIA procedures for agency programmes and projects. This will help ensure sustainability of programme/project outcomes and that the programme/project does not contribute to exacerbating adverse climate change impacts.
Note: SEA and EIA procedures may have to be revised to consider not only the impacts that a project/programme has on the environment, but also how environmental constraints can compromise its sustainability.10
entry point 3.5: Including climate change-related considerations in the Annual Work Plan or in other annual planning instruments (see Annex I, p. 36-39) Tool The focus questions in this tool are designed to help ensure that all reasonable steps are taken to make the proposed development initiatives appropriately resilient to climate change and at best neutral in terms of their impact on the emissions intensity of the development initiatives, in a cost effective manner. practical example One of the common mainstreaming challenges is to move from planning (conceptual linkages) to implementation (integrated approaches to operationalization). An appropriate example of the latter is UNCT partners assisting in the development of the regional Early Warning System for Central America. They worked in partnership with international scientific institutions (e.g. NASA, NOAA), regional institutions (the Integration System for Central America), and national entities.
Action
Ensure that actions to enhance climate resilience and progress to a low-emissions sustainable economy are included in annual work and other plans (for both climate change and non-climate change-specific outcomes), and that the additional costs of taking climate change into account in programmes and projects are also estimated and included in the UNDAF budget.
While actions related to earlier entry points will go a long way to mainstreaming climate change considerations in the UNDAF, the annual work plan should be assessed to ensure that it is consistent with the earlier efforts. For example, the annual work plan needs to include specific response to recommendations from a SEA or EIA, as appropriate.
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key messages
When changes in the actual climate enhance or impede the achievement of development results;
Emergence of new capacity development needs in order to successfully mainstream climate change considerations in national and sectoral plans and policies; and
When new information on the effectiveness and the relative benefits and costs of mainstreaming climate change considerations suggests the need to modify development programmes and projects.
The UNDAF evaluation is an important opportunity to assess whether, and how well, information about climate change-development linkages is being used in the planning process and integrated into UNDAF cooperation areas.
Because it makes an essential contribution to managing for results, monitoring and evaluation provides an important opportunity for mainstreaming climate change considerations. This is because:
Actual or unanticipated changes in the climate may enhance or impede the achievement of results, despite all efforts to enhance the climate resilience of the development initiatives and outcomes;
Emergence of new capacity development needs of implementing partners to successfully address the causes and consequences of climate change when preparing and implementing national and sectoral plans and policies; and
New information on the effectiveness and the relative benefits and costs of mainstreaming climate change considerations may require modifications to the programmes and projects.
It is important to align the M&E of climate change-related interventions with the UNDAF M&E plan. During implementation, periodic assessment, such as desk top reviews and field visits, will be necessary to review the extent to which climate resilience has increased and the carbon intensity of development has decreased.
entry point 4.1: Assess the extent to which UNDAF results contribute to national priorities (see Annex J, p.40-41) Tool Focus questions are designed to ensure that M&E provides evidence that implementing the UNDAF has increased resilience to climate change, while also reducing the emissions intensity of economic activities. practical example In Bhutan, the overall monitoring of the UNDAF and the common UNDAF Action Plan process is being undertaken jointly by the UN and the Gross National Happiness Commission. The Theme Groups (one of which covers Environment and Disaster Management) are responsible for monitoring and evaluating implementation of the UNDAF and Action Plan through work plans with implementing partners, and for ensuring that UN support is timely and addresses the actual needs of the government. Since 2009 the Theme Groups are co-chaired by the lead ministry and a UN agency. practical example
Action
Monitor and evaluate outcomes, focusing on the relevant UNDAF outcomes and outputs; ensure they increase climate resilience and decrease the emissions intensity of development, as well as contribute to national priorities, including those related to internationally agreed actions such as the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol.
entry point 4.2: Feed back into country analysis and planning(see Annex K, p.42-44) Tool The focus questions are designed to ensure that the M&E provides an opportunity for learning and continuous improvement as part of UNDAF preparation and implementation.
Action
Monitor activities and outcomes to ensure that they continue to be responsive to learning on climate-related risks and opportunities.
This action provides for continuous improvement and learning, which is an important part of UNDAF preparation and implementation. It is particularly critical in the context of climate change as it is a relatively new issue for development assistance. The action implements the guidance provided in Section 4.
The food security area of cooperation in the UNDAF for Zambia includes an outcome on climate change: Institutional and household level capacity targeting vulnerable groups and female-headed households for climate change adaptation improvements. The mid-term review of this UNDAF in 2008 resulted in activities related to climate change being integrated in the existing agency Country Programme Action Plans. This includes work on legal frameworks, policies, practices, and financing mechanisms on climate change adaptation and mitigation to promote and protect livelihoods.
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lA
Setting the vision
AT I
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Stakeholder Participation
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I To r I N G
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Based on UNDP, 2009: Handbook on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluating for Development Results, 232pp.
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Note: In accordance with the UNDAF guidelines approved in January 2010 there is now considerable flexibility in the UNDAF process. The UNCT is able to align its UNDAF activities with national processes. In addition, while certain tools and actions may be recommended they are not mandatory. The UNCT will need to decide which tools to use.
A. entry point 1.1 ...........................................................................................................................................19 B. entry point 1.2 ...........................................................................................................................................21 C. entry point 1.3 ...........................................................................................................................................23 d. entry points 2.1 to 2.4...............................................................................................................................25 e. entry point 3.1 ...........................................................................................................................................29 F. entry point 3.2 ...........................................................................................................................................30 G. entry point 3.3 ...........................................................................................................................................32 h. entry point 3.4 ...........................................................................................................................................34 I. entry point 3.5 ...........................................................................................................................................36
j. entry point 4.1 ...........................................................................................................................................40 k. entry point 4.2 ...........................................................................................................................................42 l. Guidance for Thematic mainstreaming in Country Analysis (such as CCA) and the UNdAF ...........43 m. Information on International Funding sources for mitigation and Adaptation ...................................45 N. potential Indicators for monitoring and evaluating Inclusion of Climate Change Considerations in the Country Analysis (such as CCA) and the UNdAF ............................................47
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Tool: Questions for review of existing work The following questions are designed to help focus the review of existing country analytic work with respect to identifying the needs, opportunities and capacities related to addressing climate change. This information will be used to help enhance the sustainability of national and other development initiatives. The questions are subdivided into those related to enhancing climate resilience through adaptation, to reducing GHG emissions through low carbon development, and to opportunities that might create synergies between adaptation and mitigation.
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Capacities: the ability to adapt What is the current situation for implementing (short- and long-term) adaptation, and how might it be improved? Does the ability exist to ensure that development initiatives will not result in maladaptation? How well-equipped is the country to analyse information on climate variability and risks, and use this to prepare for effective responses to safeguard development and economic growth? What financial resources are required for climate change adaptation and related initiatives? What needs to be done to mobilize these resources? Need to reduce GhG emissions What are the main sources and sinks of GHGs? What are the most carbon intense sectors and activities? opportunities to reduce GhG emissions What measures could be taken to reduce the carbon intensity of development initiatives? Of these measures, which ones are likely to be most viable and effective? Do existing national planning instruments incorporate and support opportunities to reduce the carbon intensity of development initiatives? What are the opportunities for low-carbon development that will also benefit the vulnerable, poor, women and other marginalized groups? What are the critical gaps in the existing information, analysis and understanding? How are these critical gaps impacting on policy development, planning and decision-making? What resources are already approved for climate change mitigation and related initiatives? Capacities: the ability to respond What is the current situation for undertaking mitigation initiatives, and how might it be improved? How well-equipped is the country to analyse information on GHG emissions and sinks? How well-equipped is the country to use the above information to prepare for mitigation and other low carbon development initiatives that will help to ensure the sustainability of human development and economic growth? What financial resources are required for climate change mitigation and related initiatives? What needs to be done to mobilize these resources? opportunities to secure synergies between enhancing Climate resilience and supporting low Carbon development Are synergistic opportunities already being exploited? Are there opportunities to build on these existing opportunities? Have any new synergistic opportunities been identified explicitly? Does the existing country analytic work suggest that additional opportunities exist? If so, what needs to be done to take advantage of these opportunities?
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Tool: Questions to help identify climate change response opportunities Responses to the the following questions will help focus the mapping of the national planning process by highlighting the opportunities to increase the attention being given to addressing climate change in the context of human and economic development.
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Climate Change Adaptation, disaster risk reduction and emergency response Are adaptation and disaster risk reduction harmonized or implemented separately? Do disaster risk and meteorological agencies collaborate and share information? Are disaster early warning systems a collaborative effort? Is disaster risk reduction incorporated in national and sector development efforts? To what extent do disaster preparedness and response plans, or emergency activities in general, link to adaptation and disaster risk reduction efforts or other longer-term development programmes? development policies and planning What is the level of understanding of climate-development linkages? What is the level of understanding of the links between current and future climate, on the one hand, and national and sector development priorities on the other? What is the level of understanding of the links between low carbon development and national and sector development priorities? Is human development policy considered an entry point for climate change mainstreaming? Does work under other global environmental conventions (biodiversity, desertification, ozone depletion) interlink and deliver climate benefits? When answering the above questions, possible challenges and issues to be aware of include:
Political considerations, such as how to increase the political will; The critical role of sectors (e.g. agriculture, land use, water) and sub-national bodies; The implementation challenge (e.g. financing, measuring the impact of policy measures); and The need for sustained institutional and capacity strengthening at relevant levels.
The focus of government efforts is often with the Ministry of Environment despite the need for a whole-of-government approach coordinated by Ministries such as Planning and Finance; Low level of awareness and knowledge of the linkages with poverty reduction and pro-poor economic growth; The need to identify the potential economic costs and social implications of climate change, as well as the direct and indirect benefits of adaptation and low carbon development;
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Additional resources:
The following resources provide additional guidance or access to comprehensive information and learning platforms of relevance to understanding the national planning process from a climate change perspective. resource Module 2 of Mani, M., Markandya, A., awnd Ipe, V., 2009. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Development Programs, A Practical Guide. The World Bank Integrating Climate Change Adaptation at the National Level. OECD, 2009. Policy Guidance on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Cooperation Adapting to Climate Change: Analysing the Role of Government. Defra Evidence and Analysis Series, 2010 Online Inventory of UN System Activities on Climate Change A One UN Training Service Platform, UN CC: Learn Brief description The purpose of this module is to identify the main channels through which development programmes could affect the capacity of a country to adapt to climate change and to reduce its GHGs in a costeffective way. Provides policymakers and practitioners in development co-operation agencies with information and advice on how to mainstream climate change into development. Provides a framework for analysing the role of Government in helping people and businesses adapt to projected changes in climate. Provides information on the wide array of activities underway throughout the UN system in response to the global climate change challenge. Brings together UN agencies with the goal to strengthen country-driven human resource and skills development to address climate change challenges. Draws on experiences on the ground, featuring tools and practical guidance to meet the adaptation needs of developing countries.
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Additional resources:
The following sources provide additional information and insight to assessing the comparative advantage and capacity of the UN system and an individual UNCT. resource How to Prepare an UNDAF: Part (II) Technical Guidance for UN Country Teams (2010), Conducting a SWOT exercise, page 15. UN Executives Board for Coordination, Acting on climate change: the UN system delivering as one. United Nations System, Chief Executives Board for Coordination,36pp. Annex 1 Tools for Self Assessment, C. Lusthaus, M. Adrien, G. Anderson and F. Carden, 1999. Enhancing organizational performance a toolbox for self-assessment. IDRC. GEF, 2007. Comparative Advantages of the GEF Agencies, Global Environment Facility. Brief description Guidance on how to clarify the comparative advantages of the UNCT by identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and opportunities and threats in the national development context. Provides an overview of ongoing UN system actions in key climate change-related areas, in support of national endeavours and in furtherance of the implementation of mandates received through the UNFCCC and other inter-governmental bodies. Provides a process for conducting an assessment, a framework for assessing issues, and some tools and tips to help address an issue that an organization is facing. Provides an approach towards clear and equitable roles of the GEF agencies.
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Support relevant government work related to characterizing climate-related risks, inventorying GHG emissions, and assessing mitigation options, vulnerabilities and adaptation options; Support studies which ensure that national planning takes into account the need to increase climate resilience and move to a low-carbon economy and society; Assess and address the sensitivity of national and sectoral development plans to climate change; and Participation in the prioritization exercise for the UNDAF.
Tool: Questions designed to support country analysis and prioritization The tool provides focus questions related to the four Entry Points under this second step of the UNDAF preparation process. Responses to the questions can help guide decisions and actions related to undertaking additional work to support the country analysis. Climate change-related assessment and analysis prioritization should provide answers to some or all of the following questions:
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FoCUs QUesTIoNs What are the linkages between climate change, economic, human rights and social development? What are the climate change-related risks to the sustainability of existing and emerging development initiatives and plans (i.e. NDP, PRS)? What are the anticipated impacts of planned development initiatives on climate change vulnerability? How can possible adverse impacts best be reduced? What are the anticipated impacts of planned development initiatives on GHG emissions? How can these GHG emissions best be reduced? What groups will be most affected by climate change and what are their concerns? Can the existing legal, institutional and policy frameworks effectively respond to climate change impacts, risks and opportunities? How can climate risk and impact management, and low-carbon development initiatives best be incorporated into sector policies and plans? How might action help to ensure that climate change does not impede achievement of national development priorities (i.e. MDGs) and meeting obligations under MEAs? Is there adequate understanding of the climate-related risks and opportunities in order to consider how climate change might influence priority setting? Have the emerging development priorities given adequate consideration to the extent to which the anticipated changes in climate will impede the efforts required to achieve the intended development outcomes? Is there adequate understanding of what other development needs should be given higher priority due to the impacts of climate change or to the opportunities to slow the rate of climate change? Is there adequate understanding of the need to give greater priority to specific aspects of poverty reduction, strengthening human rights protection, and improving human health and well-being as a result of anticipated changes in climate? Is there adequate understanding of the opportunities for low-carbon development that will also benefit the vulnerable, poor, women and other marginalized groups, and the need to give these considerations adequate recognition in the setting of priorities?
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Additional resources
There are numerous possible assessment and analytical tools and methodologies available that can be tailored to the needs of the UNCT and country partners. resource
The following are some of the key existing tools and methodologies that can be applied, descriptions of what they are intended to provide, and hyperlinks to facilitate access. These can also help identify the additional work required to support the country analysis. Brief description
1. Assessing and Addressing Climate Change vulnerability and risks: Vulnerability to climate change is a function of the character, magnitude, and rate of climate variability and change to which a system is exposed, the sensitivity of the system to those changes, and its adaptive capacity. An assessment of climate-related risks considers not only the potential level of harm arising from a climatic event or condition, but also the likelihood that such harm will occur. UNFCCC, 2008. Compendium on Methods and Tools to Evaluate Impacts of, and Vulnerability and Adaptation to, Climate Change IPCC Technical Guidelines for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Adaptations, (Carter, T.R., M. L. Parry, H. Harasawa, and S. Nishioka (eds.), 1994) UNFCCC Handbook on Vulnerability and Adaptation Assessment Existing adaptation analysis and decision frameworks and tools are catalogued in a clear and easy to use manner, but does not prescribe or recommend methods or tools. The guidelines aid users to assess the impacts of potential climate change and identify appropriate adaptation options. Provides a brief overview of some of the main methods being used to assess vulnerability and adaptation to climate change; emphasizes a few methods in particular that are readily accessible and applicable; also provides guidance on obtaining data. Uses existing climate data to generate country-level data plots from the most up-to-date climate observations and multi-model projections. Presents a flexible approach to developing adaptation strategies, policies, and measures. Provides guidance on the process of compiling a document that specifies priority adaptation actions in an LDC.
National Communications Support Programme Country-level Climate Profiles United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Adaptation Policy Framework (Burton et al., 2004) National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPA) Guidelines (UNFCC, 2002) Hess U. and Hazell P. (Forthcoming). Sustainability and Scalability of Index-based Insurance for Agriculture and Rural Livelihoods. World Food Programme, Rome, Italy
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resource Balzer N. and Hess U. (Forthcoming) Weather Index Insurance in China and Ethiopia. In Omamo S.W., Gentilini U., and Sandstrom S. (eds) Innovations in Food Assistance: Emerging Lessons from WFPs Experience. World Food Programme: Rome
Brief description
2. GhG Inventories and mitigation: GHG inventories characterize emissions of GHGs, usually on a national and sector basis, while mitigation reduces the anthropogenic forcing of the climate system; it includes measures to reduce GHG sources and emissions and enhance GHG sinks. 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (Eggleston, S. Buedia, L., Miwa, K., Ngara, T., and K. Tanabe (eds.), 2006) Energy and Power Evaluation Program (ENPEP-BALANCE) Provides guidance on compiling a complete national inventory of greenhouse gases. A set of ten integrated energy, environmental, and economic analysis tools; BALANCE is a market-based simulation that determines how various segments of the energy system may respond to changes in energy prices and demands. An integrated energy-environment, scenario-based modelling system, which uses relatively simple accounting and simulation modelling approaches. The Standard Tables for Reporting of GHG Emissions for Cities provide a consistent reporting format for GHGs from cities and local regions.
Long range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) Draft international standards for determining green house gas emissions for cities
3. sector specific: Initiatives to address climate change can focus on a specific sector. Some examples are provided here. The UNCT will need to decide the sectors on which they will focus, and then work with sector specialists. Mainstreaming Adaptation to Climate Change in Agriculture and Natural Resources Management Projects: Guidance Notes. Climate Change Team, Environment Department, World Bank, 2009 Water and Adaptation to Climate Change: Consequences for Developing Countries. GTZ, 2009 Provides lessons learned, best practices, recommendations, and useful resources for integrating climate risk management and adaptation to climate change in development projects, with a focus on the agriculture and natural resources management sectors. Demonstrates the significant and diverse hydrological impacts of climate change and vulnerabilities of development countries and takes stock of current status of addressing hydrological impacts of climate change. Provides options for adaptation and mitigation in drylands, and links these with the need for alleviating poverty by creating incentives to custodians of drylands and safeguarding dryland communities livelihoods through improved ecosystem services.
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Climate Change in the African Drylands: Options and Opportunities for Adaptation and Mitigation. UNDP, UNCCD, UNEP 2009
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resource
Brief description
4. Integrated and Cross-cutting Approaches: Integrated approaches will often combine adaptation and mitigation and include disaster risk reduction, linking them to broader sustainable development initiatives, including addressing cross-cutting considerations such as gender equity and human rights. Guidance Note on Linking Climate Change Policies to Human Development Analysis and Advocacy Addresses the demand for guidelines to support the work of report teams and partners in integrating human development analysis and advocacy into more equitable, sustainable, and climate-resilient development planning and policy debates. Provides guidance on incorporating a gender perspective into climate change policies, projects and funds in order to ensure that women contribute to and benefit from equitable climate solutions. Informs practitioners and policymakers of the linkages between gender equality and climate change and their importance in relation to the achievement of the MDGs. Designed to raise awareness of the similarities and differences between climate change adaptation and DRR, to highlight the benefits of a more integrated approach to these issues, and to increase the level of strategic co-ordination between the climate change and disaster risk management communities. Illustrates how SEA can provide a framework for integrating considerations of climate change risks and opportunities into strategic planning. Provides examples of specific human rights affected by climate change threats, and guidance as to human rights standards and principles which should inform policy-making in the area of climate change. Pinpoints areas where climate change will have direct and indirect human rights impacts, and where human rights principles can sharpen policy-making on climate change. Provides an approach for conducting national investment and financial flows assessments for mitigation and adaptation that accounts for national circumstances, capacities, and resources.
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Climate Change Connections - UNFPA and WEDO resource kit on gender, population and climate change
Venton, P. and S. La Trobe, 2008: Linking climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. Tear Fund, 19pp
OECD DAC Strategic Environmental Assessment and Climate Change Adaptation Advisory Note OHCHR study on the relationship between climate change and human rights (A/HRC/10/61)
Climate Change and Human Rights - A Rough Guide, International Council on Human Rights Policy (2008)
5. Costing/Finance Methodology Guidebook for the Assessment of Investment and Financial Flows to Address Climate Change, UNDP 2009
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resource Tool to assess financial feasibility of potential REDD projects 6. social safeguards Guidance Note on Linking Climate Change Policies to Human Development Analysis and Advocacy, UNDP 2009.
Brief description Designed to help project proponents to estimate the costs and revenues in a REDD project. Addresses the demand for guidelines to support the work of report teams and partners in integrating human development analysis and advocacy into more equitable, sustainable and climate-resilient development planning and policy debates. Assesses the extent to which climate change has been addressed in the poverty reduction strategy process in a sample of countries. Helps to understand the importance of including the dimensions of gender for sustainability of the environment and of energy. The Guiding Principles are based on international humanitarian and human rights law and analogous refugee law. They identify the rights and guarantees relevant to the protection of the internally displaced in all phases of displacement, serving as a guide for governments, international organizations and all other relevant actors in providing assistance and protection to IDPs. The Guiding Principles are available in 40 languages. Forced displacement and the loss of housing, land and property (HLP) is a common consequence of natural disasters. The Handbook provides practical guidance to those working on housing and property restitution issues. It aims at promoting durable solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees, including the right to return to the homes and properties from which they fled or were forced to leave. The Operational Guidelines provide guidance on how to protect the human rights of individuals affected by natural disasters, focusing on what humanitarian actors should do in order to implement a rights-based approach to humanitarian action in the context of natural disasters. The Field Manual complements the Operational Guidelines by providing examples of how the Guidelines can best be implemented.
Mainstreaming Environment and Climate Change in the Implementation of Poverty Reduction Strategies. The World Bank Environment Department: Washington, DC Training Manual on Gender and Climate Change, Global Gender and Climate Alliance, 2009 Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement. OHCHR The Handbook for Applying the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement, published by the Brookings Project and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) (1999)
Handbook on Housing and Property Restitution for Refugees and displaced persons Implementing the Pinheiro Principles. Issued jointly by OHCHR, OCHA, UN-HABITAT, UNHCR, FAO, NRC
IASC Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters Human Rights and National Disasters - Operational Guidelines and Field Manual on Human Rights Protection in Situations of Natural Disaster (2008)
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Additional resources
resource A. Olhoff and C. Schaer (2009). Screening Tools and Guidelines to Support the Mainstreaming of Climate Change Adaptation into Development Assistance A Stocktaking Report. Integrating climate change risks and opportunities into national development processes and UN country programming project. UNDP: New York. Economic Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and their role in project prioritization and appraisal. GTZ Climate Protection Programme, 2007. Economics of Climate Adaptation Working Group, 2009: Shaping climate-resilient development: a framework for decision-making. Economics of Climate Adaptation Working Group, 164pp. Brief description Analyses available guidance material on climate change mainstreaming; the analysis focuses on the content of the resources and identifies the mainstreaming advice within them and how this relates to guidance needed for UNCTs to mainstream climate change.
Focuses specifically on the economic aspects of adaptation; outlines a fact-based risk management approach that national and local leaders can use to understand the impact of climate on their economies and identify actions to minimize that impact at the lowest cost to society.
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FoCUs QUesTIoNs Overall, does the draft UNDAF, and especially the results matrix and work plan, take advantage of all appropriate and reasonable opportunities to ensure that the proposed economic and social development initiatives also increase resilience to climate change and facilitate progress to a low-carbon society and economy? Does the draft UNDAF identify and address climate change risks to programmes and projects? Does the draft UNDAF identify and address opportunities to reduce the carbon intensity of development initiatives? Does the draft UNDAF identify and address potential opportunities to enhance climate resilience? Does the draft UNDAF benefit the population spectrum, and identify and address obstacles to benefits and opportunities, especially for the most marginalized peoples and in light of their varied vulnerability to climate change? Does the draft UNDAF identify and address the risk that development initiatives will result in maladaptation? Does the draft UNDAF identify and address potential adaptation measures? Does the draft UNDAF identify and address potential measures to reduce the carbon intensity of development initiatives? Have the needs and opportunities to strengthen relevant capacities been identified and addressed by activities included in the draft work plan? Does the UNDAF include performance targets and indicators which reflect the need to increase the resilience of development efforts to climate change and also reduce the carbon intensity of development?
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Additional resources
resource A. Olhoff and C. Schaer (2009). Screening Tools and Guidelines to Support the Mainstreaming of Climate Change Adaptation into Development Assistance A Stocktaking Report. Integrating climate change risks and opportunities into national development processes and UN country programming project. UNDP: New York. Economic Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and their role in project prioritization and appraisal. GTZ Climate Protection Programme, 2007. OECD, 2008. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Adaptation to Climate Change. OECD, 2009. Policy Guidance on Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Cooperation. Brief description Analyses available guidance material on climate change mainstreaming; the analysis focuses on the content of the resources and identifies the mainstreaming advice within them and how this relates to guidance needed for UNCTs to mainstream climate change.
Illustrates how SEA can provide a framework for integrating considerations of climate change risks and opportunities into strategic planning. Provides policymakers and practitioners in development co-operation agencies with information and advice on how to mainstream climate change into development. Provides targeted guidance on the linkages between the design of development programmes and the objectives of adapting to climate change and limiting emissions of GHGs. A guide for champions and practitioners engaged in the task of mainstreaming poverty-environment linkages into national development planning.
Mani, M., Markandya, A., and Ipe, V., 2009. Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation in Development Programs, A Practical Guide. The World Bank. Mainstreaming Poverty-Environment Linkages into Development Planning: A Handbook for Practitioners UNDP-UNEP Poverty-Environment Initiative.
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Additional resources
resource A. Olhoff and C. Schaer (2009). Screening Tools and Guidelines to Support the Mainstreaming of Climate Change Adaptation into Development Assistance A Stocktaking Report. Integrating climate change risks and opportunities into national development processes and UN country programming project. UNDP: New York. Economic Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and their role in project prioritisation and appraisal. GTZ Climate Protection Programme, 2007. UNDP, 2009: Quality Standards for the Integration of Adaptation to Climate Change into Development Programming, 14pp. The Spanish-funded Climate Change Risk Project: UNDAF Risk Screening Reports, 9pp. Brief description Analyses available guidance material on climate change mainstreaming; the analysis focuses on the content of the resources and identifies the mainstreaming advice within them and how this relates to guidance needed for UNCTs to mainstream climate change.
Provides a comprehensive yet concise and structured framework for the integration of adaptation into development practice, based on a small number of clearly defined steps. The 5 UNDAF risk screening reports prepared under the Spanish-funded project are combined to prepare a screening format in the form of a synthesized matrix template.
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FoCUs QUesTIoNs Will the programme or project contribute to climate change as a result of increasing GHG emissions? Will climate change influence the long-term sustainability of the programme or project? Will climate change reduce the benefits the programme or project is intended to deliver? Does the proposed programme or project include all reasonable measures to ensure that development efforts are appropriately resilient to climate change and do not increase the carbon intensity of economic activities? Will climate change reduce the intended benefits for some populations over others, especially the most marginalized? Does the results matrix that the proposed programme or project include performance targets and indicators capable of demonstrating an increase in climate resilience or the contribution to the carbon intensity?
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Additional resources
resource Practitioners and Policy-Makers Guide: Incorporating Climate Change into the Environmental Impact Assessment Process, Suite of Climate-Change Related Toolkits and Guides. Caleb W. Christopher, 2008: Success by 1000 Cuts: The Use of Environmental Impact Assessment in Addressing Climate Change, Vermont Journal of Environmental Law (9). OECD, 2008. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Adaptation to Climate Change. OECD, 2008. Strategic Environmental Assessment and Disaster Risk Reduction. Brief description Provides environmental assessment (EA) practitioners with general guidance for incorporating climate change considerations in project EA; provides general guidance to be considered at the discretion of jurisdictions and regulatory authorities. EIA has traditionally been used to address more obvious and localized ecological impacts; this practice has led to the mistaken presumption that EIA is unable to tackle the complex challenges of climate change. Illustrates how SEA can provide a framework for integrating considerations of climate change risks and opportunities into strategic planning. Illustrates how SEA can provide a framework for integrating considerations of disaster risk reduction into strategic planning.
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FoCUs QUesTIoNs Does the plan incorporate and respond to climate change risks to the proposed programmes and projects? Does the plan incorporate and respond to opportunities to reduce the carbon intensity of development initiatives? Does the plan incorporate and respond to identification of adaptation opportunities? Does the plan incorporate and respond to risks that the proposed initiatives will result in maladaptation? Does the plan incorporate and respond to identification and assessment of potential adaptation measures? Does the plan incorporate and respond to identification and assessment of potential measures to reduce the carbon intensity of development initiatives? Have all reasonable steps been taken to ensure that all requirements have been met and opportunities taken up with regard to making the proposed development initiatives appropriately resilient to climate change and, at best, neutral in terms of their impact on the carbon intensity of the development initiatives? Have the additional costs of meeting these requirements, and acting on opportunities, been evaluated in a sound manner? Has a cost-benefit analysis been undertaken? Does the cost-benefit analysis show that the costs represent a sound investment in terms of the resulting increases in the sustainability of the proposed development efforts?
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Standard Operational Format & Guidance for Reporting Progress on the UNDAF
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Additional resources
resource Adaptation Economic Evaluation of Climate Change Adaptation Projects: Approaches for the agricultural sector and beyond, Gretel Gambarelli (ENV) and Mike Toman (DECRG), ENV ESW Paper, June 2009. UNDP, 2009: Quality Standards for the Integration of Adaptation to Climate Change into Development Programming, 14pp. Martin Parry, Nigel Arnell, Pam Berry, David Dodman, Samuel Fankhauser, Chris Hope, Sari Kovats, Robert Nicholls, David Satterthwaite, Richard Tiffin, Tim Wheeler (2009) Assessing the Costs of Adaptation to Climate Change: A Review of the UNFCCC and Other Recent Estimates, International Institute for Environment and Development and Grantham Institute for Climate Change, London. OECD, 2009. Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Cooperation: Policy Guidance. Identifies key challenges and solutions for carrying out project-level economic analysis of adaptation to climate changeboth stand-alone and integrated into broader development projects. Provides a comprehensive yet concise and structured framework for the integration of adaptation into development practice, based on a small number of clearly defined steps. Provides an evaluation of estimates of the costs of adaptation made by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2007 and by some preceding studies; the costs have been used as the basis for discussion regarding the levels of investment needed for adaptation to climate change; assesses these estimates and considers ways to improve them in the future. Provides policymakers and practitioners in development co-operation agencies with information and advice on how to mainstream climate change into development. NAPAs have clearly identified the needed adaptation action in the poorest countries; funding the full development and implementation of NAPA projects pinpointed as urgent and immediate is a clear starting point. Analyses whether budget support, as a specific form of programme-based approaches already wellestablished in development cooperation, could be a viable approach for adaptation funding. Proposes a set of principles for delivering adaptation finance, which are based on three elements: (i) those already enshrined in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); (ii) the content of submissions of parties to the UNFCCC; and (iii) potential learning from experiences of delivering development assistance.
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Brief description
National adaptation funding: ways forward for the poorest countries. International Institute for Environment and Development, London, 2009.
Financing Adaptation to Climate Change through Budget Support. German Development Institute, 2009.
Principles for Delivering Adaptation Finance, Institute for Development Studies and International Institute for Environment and Development, London, 2008.
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resource Klein, R. and Persson, A. (2008) Financing Adaptation to Climate Change: Issues and Priorities, European Climate Platform Report No. 8. October 2008. Financing Adaptation Action, Global Environment Facility, Washington, DC.
Brief description Presents a summary overview of the current state of knowledge and policy initiatives related to adaptation; outlines a number of issues. The GEF received the mandate from the Climate Convention in 2001 to finance adaptation projects on the ground; as a result, the GEF began piloting adaptation action under three financing avenues. Addresses the growing interest in using green spending programmes (renewable energy, energy efficiency, environmental initiatives, etc.) as economic stimulus and job creation programs. Designed to help project proponents to estimate costs and revenues in a REDD project. The International Energy Studies Group is composed of scientists active in the world forum in the areas of energy, forestry, and climate research. GTZs tool for mainstreaming climate change, including mitigation. An integrated energy-environment, scenario-based modelling system, which uses relatively simple accounting and simulation modelling approaches. A set of ten integrated energy, environmental, and economic analysis tools; BALANCE is a market-based simulation that determines how various segments of the energy system may respond to changes in energy prices and demands. Introduces a set of approaches to help sub-national authorities through the whole process of designing their Integrated Territorial Climate Plan, from setting objectives and participatory arrangements for the preparation of the Plan, to financing priority activities. Explores the imperative for climate policy integration, the state of current understanding, and proposals for implementation at the crucial national policy scale.
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mitigation Why Clean Energy Public Investment Makes Economic SenseThe Evidence Base. UNEP Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative Public Finance Alliance (SEF Alliance) 2009. Tool to assess financial feasibility of potential REDD projects International Energy Studies
GTZ Climate Check Long range Energy Alternatives Planning System (LEAP) Energy and Power Evaluation Program (ENPEPBALANCE)
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resource Cost-Effective Actions to Tackle Climate Change, OECD Policy Brief, 2009
Brief description Cost of action would be minimized if a cost-effective set of policy instruments, with a focus on carbon pricing, were applied as broadly as possible across all emission sources, including all countries, sectors, and GHGs. Reviews and analyses existing and projected investment flows, and financing relevant to the development of an effective and appropriate international response to climate change. GTZs tool for mainstreaming climate change, including mitigation. Climate policymakers need to know the total level of atmospheric greenhouse gases that should not be exceeded globally, as well as how one means of cutting emissions compares with another. Reviews and scopes existing climate studies, climate change modeling, and national and regional consultations with experts and policymakers.
GTZ Climate Check Comparing apples with orangesnew metrics for assessing climate change. Nature Reports Climate Change, Vol 2, 2008 The Economics of Climate Change in Southeast Asia: A Regional Review. Asian Development Bank, 2009
Stern, Nicholas. 2006. Stern Review on the Economics Examines evidence on the economic impacts of climate of Climate Change. Cambridge University Press: change and explores the economics of stabilizing Cambridge, United Kingdom. greenhouse gases in the atmosphere; considers the complex policy challenges involved in managing the transition to a low-carbon economy and in ensuring that societies can adapt to the consequences of climate change that can no longer be avoided. Economic Approaches to Climate Change Adaptation and their Role in Project Prioritization and Appraisal. GTZ Climate Protection Programme, 2007. Assists the project prioritization process with regard to climate change adaptation activities by discussing some of the constraints on effective climate risk management and suggesting how economic approaches could be applied to evaluate adaptation projects. This document seeks to enhance understanding of the economic dimension of climate change and contribute to the search for possible solutions in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its preliminary conclusions are based on the national studies carried out on the topic in the region.
The Economics of Climate Change for Latin America and the Caribbean, Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC)
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Tool: Questions designed to ensure that climate change considerations are included in monitoring and evaluation The questions are designed to ensure that M&E provides evidence that implementing the UNDAF has increased resilience to climate change, while also reducing the carbon intensity of economic activities. The additional resources listed below will likely be of use in those instances where the responses indicate that UNDAF implementation is not achieving the intended results in terms of addressing climate risks and opportunities.
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FoCUs QUesTIoNs Did the review of existing country analytic work consider climate-related risks and opportunities? Did the review highlight the key climate-related risks and opportunities, including their importance for economic and social development, particularly poverty reduction? Did the review highlight the constraints, opportunities and critical gaps in understanding related to climate change and acheivement of national development goals, MDG targets, and the goals and targets of ratified international environmental agreements? Were relevant stakeholders and key planning and policy processes included in the mapping exercise undertaken to identify opportunities for adding value to national development planning and the budget cycle by ensuring development initiatives have low sensitivity to climate change and facilitate lowemissions development? Were UNCT comparative advantages considered to support policy and programming for increasing climate resilence and facilitating low emissions development? Did the UNCTs support for country analysis include climate change considerations? Did work supported by the UNCT help to identify the linkages between climate change and the success in achieving national development goals? Did work supported by the UNCT help identify capacity assets and development needs for action on climate change and development issues, including data collection and analysis? Did work supported by the UNCT help to identify how climate change might contribute to increased risk of natural disasters and of conflicts? Did the review of draft UNDAF results include climate change considerations? If the review did consider climate-related risks and opportunities, did it result in changes to UNDAF results and indicators to better integrate climate change considerations?
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Additional resources
resource Handbook on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluating for Development Results. Evaluation Office, the Operations Support Group, and the Capacity Development Group of the Bureau for Development Policy, UNDP, 2009. Brief description Supports a more results-oriented process though improved focus on development changes and real improvements in peoples lives by driving the effective application of the results-based management approach in programming and performance management.
Measuring Progress towards Sustainable Development Climate change-related indicators derived from and Climate Change broader sustainable development indicator sets can be used to identify areas for possible policy interventions on climate change that are embedded in the broader national sustainable development agenda. Climate Change Performance Index An innovative instrument that enhances transparency in international climate politics; on the basis of standardized criteria the index evaluates and compares the climate protection performances of the 57 countries that, together, are responsible for more than 90 percent of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Presents a set of indicators for consideration and use, particularly at the national level; these are intended to serve as a starting point in the development of a more comprehensive and universally accepted set of energy indicators relevant to sustainable development.
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Additional resources
resource Handbook on Planning, Monitoring and Evaluating for Development Results. Evaluation Office, the Operations Support Group, and the Capacity Development Group of the Bureau for Development Policy, UNDP, 2009. UNDP/UNEP/World Bank Adaptation Learning Mechanism Brief description Supports a more results-oriented process though improved focus on development changes and real improvements in peoples lives by driving the effective application of the results-based management approach in programming and performance management. Draws on experiences on the ground, featuring tools and practical guidance to meet the adaptation needs of developing countries.
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Annex l
Guidance for Thematic mainstreaming in Country Analysis (such as CCA) and UNdAF
Three sets of thematic mainstreaming guidance have been issued by the UNDG, namely: reduce the carbon intensity of development represent an important environment-related opportunity. However, environmental considerations encompass much more than climate change and disaster risk reduction. Similarly, climate change is much more than just an environmental issue and some natural disasters are unrelated to weather and climate extremes. It is therefore recommended that UNCTs give emphasis to the commonalities between the three mainstreaming approaches, and harmonize them to the extent that is practical and possible, consistent with national needs and UN capacity at the country level. An important benefit of having three complementary sets of guidance is that each can go into greater detail without becoming overwhelming when taking a more integrated approach to mainstreaming environmental, climate change and disaster considerations. Moreover, it would impede the mainstreaming process if climate change was presented only as an environmental issue or if only responses to climate-related disasters were mainstreamed in the UNDAF. The principles underpinning the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness are of relevance to mainstreaming climate change, as are the elements of performance and principles of engagement detailed in the 2009 Guidelines for UN Country Teams on Preparing a Country Analysis (such as CCA) and UNDAF (see Box). standards, the UNCT must assess its roles and capabilities, and focus its efforts where it can provide leadership and make the biggest difference. Maximum effectiveness and accountability: UNCT performance must be measurable, and accountabilities clarified, so the system can deliver effectively. There are also five inter-related principles that must be applied at country level, namely: a human rightsbased approach; gender equality; environmental sustainability; results-based management; and capacity development.
Mainstreaming Environmental Sustainability in Country Analysis and the UNDAF; Integrating Disaster Risk Reduction into the CCA and UNDAF; and Including Climate Change Considerations in Country Analysis and the UNDAF (the current Guidance Note).
As can be expected, there are some major commonalities in the approaches, as well as significant differences. The following table highlights the similarities when mainstreaming environmental, climate change and disaster risk reduction considerations in the Country Analysis (such as CCA) and UNDAF, and hence the opportunities for harmonizing and integrating these three mainstreaming initiatives. For example, it has already been emphasized that reduction of climate-related disaster risk is an important component of adaptation to climate change, while both represent key ways in which environmental constraints on development can be minimized. Similarly, mitigation activities designed to
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Country Analysis (such as CCA)/UNdAF mainstreaming Theme environmental sustainability principal Target Audience principal Goal UNCTs disaster risk reduction (drr) UNCTs Climate Change UNCTs
National development planning and related processes13 National Planning and Finance Officials Climate change does not impede economic growth, human development or poverty reduction
Anticipate environmental opportunities and constraints as early as possible in UN-supported programmes and projects Stocktake of current environmental issues and links with planning processes and UN capacities
UNDAF reflects risks of disasters, as well as capacity gaps for DRR and how they will be addressed
UNDAF outcomes and related agency initiatives enhance climate resilience and accelerate progress to a low-carbon economy
Stocktake of climaterelated risks and opportunities for development, links with planning processes and UN capacities Country analysis of opportunities to increase climate resilience and foster low-carbon development and of capacity needs
The process
Country analysis of links between environment and development and of capacity needs
Reflect environmental constraints and opportunities in UNDAF strategic priorities Include environmentrelated results and indicators in the UNDAF
Reflect climate-related Organizing government risks and opportunities structures to better in UNDAF strategic address adaptation priorities Include climaterelated results and indicators in the UNDAF Building upon and reinforcing existing national mechanisms for disaster risk reduction
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13
Based on OECD DAC, 2009: Integrating Climate Change Adaptation into Development Cooperation, 190pp.
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Country Analysis (such as CCA)/UNdAF mainstreaming Theme environmental sustainability Environmental screening and assessments conducted as part of programme and project preparation Consider responses to environmentdevelopment linkages in the annual UNDA review UNDAF that identifies and responds to environmental opportunities and constraints for development National development processes maximize environment-related opportunities and minimize environmentrelated constraints disaster risk reduction (drr) Incorporate DRR in preparation of the UNDAF Climate Change Climate screening; climate considered in wider assessments conducted as part of programme and project preparation Consider responses to environmentdevelopment linkages in the annual UNDAF review UNDAF that identifies and responds to climate-related risks and opportunities for development Increased climate resilience at all levels and decreased carbon-intensity of national economy
National development planning and related processes Modifying regulations and standards to reflect current and anticipated climate risks Enhancing linkages between multilateral/ regional commitments and adaptation National policies and plans that reflect climate-related risks and opportunities
The process
DRR an integral part of the UNDAF monitoring and evaluation process UNDAF that reflects risks of disasters and how UN will assist country to reduce disaster risks Disaster risk a reduced impediment to national development and poverty reduction
principal output
principal outcome
Responses to climate change implemented as part of a broader suite of measures within existing development processes and decision cycles
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Annex m
Information on International Funding sources for Adaptation and mitigation
Source: http://www.climatefundsupdate.org/listing
Fund (click for overview) Adaptation Fund Amazon Fund (Fundo Amaznia)
Administered by Adaptation Fund Board Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) The World Bank African Development Bank Government of Japan Government of the United Kingdom The World Bank The World bank The Global Environment Facility (GEF) The European Commission European Commission Government of Germany Government of Australia The Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Areas of focus Adaptation Adaptation, Mitigation - REDD, Mitigation - general Mitigation - general Mitigation - REDD Adaptation, Mitigation - general Adaptation, Mitigation - general Mitigation - REDD Mitigation - REDD Adaptation, Mitigation - general Adaptation, Mitigation - REDD, Mitigation - general Mitigation - general Adaptation, Mitigation - general Mitigation - REDD Adaptation
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Clean Technology Fund Congo Basin Forest Fund Cool Earth Partnership Environmental Transformation Fund - International Window Forest Carbon Partnership Facility Forest Investment Program GEF Trust Fund - Climate Change focal area Global Climate Change Alliance
Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund International Climate Initiative International Forest Carbon Initiative Least Developed Countries Fund
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Fund (click for overview) MDG Achievement Fund Environment and Climate Change thematic window Pilot Program for Climate Resilience Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Program for Low Income Countries Special Climate Change Fund Strategic Climate Fund
Type Multilateral
Administered by UNDP
Areas of focus Adaptation, Mitigation - general Adaptation Mitigation - general Adaptation Adaptation, Mitigation - REDD, Mitigation - general Adaptation Mitigation - REDD
The World Bank The World Bank The Global Environment Facility (GEF) The World Bank
Multilateral Multilateral
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Annex N
potential Indicators for monitoring and evaluating Inclusion of Climate Change Considerations in the Country Analysis (such as CCA) and the UNdAF
Proportion of the projects and programmes complying with each of the following:
Climate-related risks to the sustainability of development initiatives are adequately characterized at all relevant levels, including national, key economic and social sectors, and vulnerable and/or marginalized communities and groups; Climate risk management and low-carbon development initiatives are incorporated in sector policies and plans, including those related to agriculture, water, mining, transport, health, education, rural development and energy; The design will help to ensure that climate change does not impede achievement of national development priorities such as the MDGs; The design will help meet obligations under the UNFCCC; The design includes initiatives to avert humanitarian disasters through disaster risk reduction and preparedness in order to preserve development gains; Addresses critical gaps in existing information, analysis and understanding; and Information on climate variability and risks is analysed and used to strengthen disaster responses to safeguard development and economic growth.
Assessed for sensitivity of planned outcomes to weather and climate extremes and/or changes in climatic conditions; Sensitivity of planned outcomes to weather and climate extremes and/or changes in climatic conditions reduced at design stage or mechanisms in place to reduce sensitivity as a result of operational experience; Assessed for risk of maladaptation and necessary modifications made; Designed to reduce (directly or indirectly) the consequences of climate change for poverty reduction, human rights, and human health and well-being; Reducing the carbon intensity of the interventions (relative to business as usual); Reducing the carbon intensity of development, while also addressing the needs of the vulnerable, poor, women and other marginalized groups;
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